pink eye

 

PINK EYE

so this week i got pink eye and wasn't able to go to the hospital. so instead i will inform you about pink eye!

WHAT IS PINK EYE? 

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is redness and inflammation of the membranes (conjunctiva) covering the whites of the eyes and the membranes on the inner part of the eyelids. These membranes react to a wide range of bacteria, viruses, allergy-provoking agents, irritants, and toxic agents, as well as to underlying diseases within the body. Viral and bacterial forms of conjunctivitis are common in childhood, but they occur in adults as well. Pink eye can occur in people of any age. Overall, however, there are many causes of pink eye. These can be classified as either infectious or noninfectious. Pink eye does not cause any changes in vision.

What Causes Pink Eye?

The primary types of conjunctivitis, based on cause, are:

• Viral conjunctivitis. Caused by a virus, like the common cold. This type of pink eye is very contagious, but usually will clear up on its own within several days without medical treatment.
• Bacterial conjunctivitis. Caused by bacteria, this type of conjunctivitis can cause serious damage to the eye if left untreated.
• Allergic conjunctivitis. Caused by eye irritants such as pollen, dust and animal dander among susceptible individuals. Allergic conjunctivitis may be seasonal (pollen) or flare up year-round (dust; pet dander).

    Viral pink eye:
 Viral pinkeye is often caused by an adenovirus, which is a           common respiratory virus that can also cause a sore throat or upper respiratory infection. The herpes virus can also cause viral pinkeye.

Symptoms of viral 
pinkeye include:

1. Redness in the white of the eye.
2. Swelling of the eyelids.
3. itching or burning feeling of the eyelids.
4. Swollen and tender areas in front of the ears.
5. A lot of tearing.
6. Clear or slightly thick, whitish drainage.

Viral pinkeye symptoms usually last 5 to 7 days but may last up to 3 weeks and can become ongoing or chronic.

Viral pink eye is very contagious. If the pinkeye is caused by a virus, the person can usually return to day care, school, or work when symptoms begin to improve, typically in 3 to 5 days. Medicines are not usually used to treat viral pinkeye, so it is important to prevent the spread of the infection. Pinkeye caused by a herpes virus, which is rare, can be treated with an antiviral medicine. Home treatment of viral pinkeye symptoms can help you feel more comfortable while the infection goes away.

  Bacterial pink eye:

An infection may develop when bacteria enter the eye or the area around the eye. Some common infections that cause pinkeye include:

1. staph infection.
2. haemophilus influenza type b (Hib).
3. cat scratch disease
4. gonorrhea

Symptoms of bacterial pinkeye include:

• Redness in the white of the eye.
• Gray or yellow drainage from the eye. This drainage may cause the eyelashes to stick together.
• mild pain.
• Swelling of the upper eyelid, which may make the lid appear to 
• droop (pseudoptosis).

The discharge commonly accumulates after sleeping. Affected children may awaken most unhappy that their "eyes are stuck shut," requiring a warm washcloth applied to the eyes to remove the discharge. Bacterial pink eye is treated by repeated warm washcloths applied to the eyes and requires antibiotic eyedrops or ointment prescribed by the doctor.

•  

Allergic pink eye 

Allergy medications often can help prevent or shorten bouts of allergic conjunctivitis. Sometimes these medications must be started before allergy season or allergy flare-ups begin. Ask your doctor for details.

 Symptoms of allergic pink eye include: 

Watery, burning, itchy eyes; often accompanied by stuffiness and a runny nose, and light sensitivity. Both eyes are affected. Not contagious.

SIGNS AND TESTS:

• examination of eyes
• swab of conjunctiva for analysis 

TREATMENT:

The treatment depends on the cause. 

Allergic conjunctivitis may respond to allergy treatment. It may disappear when the allergen that caused it is removed. cool compresses may help soothe allergic conjunctivitis. 

Antibiotic medication, usually eyedrops, is effective for bacteria conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis will disappear on its own. Many doctors give a mild antibiotic eye drop for pink eye to prevent bacterial conjunctivitis. 

You can soothe the discomfort of viral or bacterial by applying warm compresses (clean cloth soaked in warm water)to your closed eye. 

PREVENTION:

Viral and bacterial pinkeye are contagious and spread very easily. Since most pinkeye is caused by viruses for which there is usually no medical treatment, preventing its spread is important. Poor hand-washing is the main cause of the spread of pinkeye. Sharing an object, such as a washcloth or towel, with a person who has pinkeye can spread the infection.

  

good hygiene can help prevent the conjunctivitis: 

• change pillow cases frequently 
• do not share eye cosmetics
• do not share towels or handkerchiefs 
• handle clean contact lenses properly
• keep hands away from the eye
• replace eye cosmetics frequently 
• wash hands often      

Learning Report:

This week i worked with an ICU nurse. She showed me around the ICU area and let me see the storage room.I even went into a patient's room and got to observe. 

I learned that the ICU and the CCU are a combined unit at Christus. I also learned that there are certain rooms in the ICU for certain things. Like some of the rooms are for cardiac patients and some of the rooms are for patients who have to be in isolation. I learned about a nebulizer, a nasogastric tube, a 'heart pillow', and that theres a crash cart in every area. 

My favorite thing about this week was i think just being at the hospital and seeing everything because it was my first week so everything was so interesting!

The worst thing that happened was that there was only a couple of people in the ICU/CCU so it was a little boring. 

This week was good. 

Experience Record:

NG-nasogastric tube-gives patient nutrition from their nose into their stomach
Nebulizer- opens lungs
Heart pillow- used for patients who have just gotten heart surgery, it lets the patient lay on their stomach without discomfort. 
Crash cart

Acute Pancreatitis- sudden inflamation of the pancreas

NG-nasogastric tube

Experience Jornal: 

When i first walked in i saw a desk to my right and saw the patient rooms to my left. On the front desk there was a computer that showed each patients heart monitor. The employee's name that i worked with was Ervie, she was an ICU nurse. she keeps track of all the patient's conditions and takes care of them. In the ICU there was also a secratary who helped with paper work, and a few doctors and a gastroenterologist. As a whole the ICU takes care of patients who have just gotten major surgeries and are in critical condition.i saw an NG-nasogastric tube which gives patient nutrition from their nose into their stomach, a Nebulizer which opens lungs, a Heart pillow which used for patients who have just gotten heart surgery, it lets the patient lay on their stomach without discomfort, and a Crash cart.

I saw only one patient, but i heard about a patient in isolation and i observed him from outside his room, but i couldn't go in. My employee was told the doctors what the patient needed. The communication skills my employee had were pretty well. She washed her hand every time she went in and out of patient's rooms, she wore her PPE when she went into the isolation patient's room. she wore gloves and a face mask. 

I learned that the ICU and the CCU are a combined unit at Christus. I also learned that there are certain rooms in the ICU for certain things. Like some of the rooms are for cardiac patients and some of the rooms are for patients who have to be in isolation. I learned about a nebulizer, a nasogastric tube, a 'heart pillow', and that theres a crash cart in every area. 

In a nutshell this week went pretty well. i think this benefitted my future in a way because the ICU is something i am actually pretty interested in. I think my personality fits best with an ICU doctor and not a nurse, because i dont want to be so much of a care giver, but more of a doctor.